Interesting idea. what happens if the latex ballon fails can it still operate like a traditional hydration pack?
KoleGear Pressurized packs
Hey Guys,
My name is Chris and I am with Kole'Gear waistpacks and backpacks. We are a new company just trying to get our product out there so everyone can see how much better pressurized hydration is then the traditional "suck" or sip method for hydration packs right now. We have a website with some basic info at www.kolegear.com. Its a new pressurized pack that uses a whole new method that is not currently on the market. Instead of using air to pressurize our water we use something much simpler, a balloon. A food grade natural rubber latex balloon bladder is inflated with water with the included pump and creates that pressure naturally from the balloon stretching out to fill with liquid. No sloshing, or sucking for water. "DONT SUCK" as we like to say around here. Feel free to check us out and give us any feedback you have.
My name is Chris and I am with Kole'Gear waistpacks and backpacks. We are a new company just trying to get our product out there so everyone can see how much better pressurized hydration is then the traditional "suck" or sip method for hydration packs right now. We have a website with some basic info at www.kolegear.com. Its a new pressurized pack that uses a whole new method that is not currently on the market. Instead of using air to pressurize our water we use something much simpler, a balloon. A food grade natural rubber latex balloon bladder is inflated with water with the included pump and creates that pressure naturally from the balloon stretching out to fill with liquid. No sloshing, or sucking for water. "DONT SUCK" as we like to say around here. Feel free to check us out and give us any feedback you have.
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Ok, tell me what's wrong here, but when I'm wearing my pack, it's strapped down and I'm riding, my pack is pressurized and the moment I bite down on the valve, water comes out on its own.
IF the balloon fails you will need something to contain the water. Replacement rubber latex balloons will be sold separately. However we have put the balloons through rigurous testing and they hold up quite well. They are made of a thick and strong rubber latex. It would take over inflation and or a puncture to guarantee failure.
Im not sure what other pack you might have that is pressurized but the common camelbak requires that you "sip", or basically suck the water from the reservoir. Kole'Gear is far different from that in that no sucking is required at all.
Im not sure what other pack you might have that is pressurized but the common camelbak requires that you "sip", or basically suck the water from the reservoir. Kole'Gear is far different from that in that no sucking is required at all.
In a recent thread about a product that places the water bladder under the seatpost there were a number of posts about folks who crashed with their hydration packs on and that the bladder cushioned their impact with the ground. How would your latex rubber bladder handle this, especially if it were filled to capacity?
It would seem to me that the latex rubber bladder would not last as long as a plastic bladder like the ones that Camelbak uses.
It would seem to me that the latex rubber bladder would not last as long as a plastic bladder like the ones that Camelbak uses.
It's this that leads me to believe you guys aren't even in the biking world and just saw someone using a product, or read the word "sip" in an ad, and decided to make a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.Im not sure what other pack you might have that is pressurized but the common camelbak requires that you "sip", or basically suck the water from the reservoir. Kole'Gear is far different from that in that no sucking is required at all.
Every hydration pack I've used allows the bladder to be placed under some type of force. Usually, the force comes from the natural position of the body and the arc of the back, gravity, and in my cases, the straps about halfway up that allow one to cinch the pack together. Sometimes the force comes from elastic mesh or straps inside the pack. The cinching straps generally go to the back surface of the pack, instead of a layer on the outer surface, so that more support and proper tensioning, or "pressurization" of the bladder can be established. I know this, because I purge my hose with every ride, simply by depressing the bite valve with my thumb and allowing the water to spray out.
So how have you addressed the weight weenies and the minimalists that want the smallest, lightest package available? Or those who, if they use a larger pack, want the actual cargo carrying capacity for such things as more tools, clothing, more water, etc?
for those concerned on weight, its going to entireley up to that person on who much weight they want to carry. The actual pack itself is very lightweight, and without water , hardly noticeable. With the rubber balloon bladder, you can hold up to 1.75 liters of water. So if you dont want the weight of that much water, then you only put in 1 liter, or however small amount you desire. For those looking for a bigger bag, that is currently in production. It is a heavier duty bag that can carry 2 of the balloon bladders allowing for a lot more water plus plenty of cargo space. If you should only choose to have 1 bladder, then even more space. Currently the only 2 models that will be available will be the waist pack and the backpack. Both will carry up to 1.75 liters of water.
How does that differ from current "conventional" backpacks? There are 3 liter bladders available (I use them almost exclusively) and have the choice to run them low (which I do) or fill them up and add secondary ones for long rides.
It's an interesting concept, and no, camelbaks do not work like that. I've ridden with a ghetto-fab mountaindew drink line that I made, and since the drink was pressurized it was actually a lot easier than sucking water out. I'm not associated with the company but don't knock it 'til you've tried it.
Any answer to my inquiry?PCC said:In a recent thread about a product that places the water bladder under the seatpost there were a number of posts about folks who crashed with their hydration packs on and that the bladder cushioned their impact with the ground. How would your latex rubber bladder handle this, especially if it were filled to capacity?
It would seem to me that the latex rubber bladder would not last as long as a plastic bladder like the ones that Camelbak uses.
I have at three different backpacks on the go right now, all with bladders. None of them require any sipping or sucking when I want to drink, obviously for the reasons that Jerk explained. I know this because I routinely pinch the bite valve with my fingers to spray some cool water on my arms when its hot out. It certainly does not shoot out like a super soaker but it comes out at a good pace.
No, I have not tried a KoleGear bag but it simply sounds like it's not needed... although that doesn't stop most people from buying things they don't need. Good luck!
No, I have not tried a KoleGear bag but it simply sounds like it's not needed... although that doesn't stop most people from buying things they don't need. Good luck!
My suggestion to this company is to just make a good backpack, with the strengths being fit/feel, ergonomics, usable storage volume, and perhaps expandability options. People really aren't going for gimmicky backpacks.
Leave the gimmicks to seatposts.
Leave the gimmicks to seatposts.
If these things spray with pressure like squeezing a water bottle I am all over them. I totally prefer bottles over camelbacks and a hands free bottle would be awesome.
1.75 liters is a little low on the capacity scale though.
1.75 liters is a little low on the capacity scale though.
so its different, but how is it better?
If it aint broke, dont fix it.
If it aint broke, dont fix it.
Here is an instructional video made.MisterC said:If these things spray with pressure like squeezing a water bottle I am all over them. I totally prefer bottles over camelbacks and a hands free bottle would be awesome.
1.75 liters is a little low on the capacity scale though.
This can give you a better idea about the waistpack.
As for PCC inquiry. We have not tested a full 200 pound person falling on the waistpack. We have done many other endurance tests on the pack and they have all passed. It is a thick rubber latex so it will handle alot more then a traditional water balloon.
Here also is a set of pictures taken for KoleGear packs.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/
This waistpack is really a preference item. It will be better for some people and not for others. There are some who do notice a difference in their waistpack and dont want to suck for water. Some people may not see this need to suck. But some do. And we provide this product for those who do. If there was no demand for a squrting water as opposed to sucking then we would not make this product. But we definitely get replys from both types of athletes out there. There are those who dont see the difference... but those who do see it love the pressure and thus it works better for those ones.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/
This waistpack is really a preference item. It will be better for some people and not for others. There are some who do notice a difference in their waistpack and dont want to suck for water. Some people may not see this need to suck. But some do. And we provide this product for those who do. If there was no demand for a squrting water as opposed to sucking then we would not make this product. But we definitely get replys from both types of athletes out there. There are those who dont see the difference... but those who do see it love the pressure and thus it works better for those ones.
so you don't have to suck but you have to pump. seems like a pain in the neck. I really like the other types of bags that have a large lid so its easy and quick to fill. I can add ice etc. What if you are on a long trip would you need to bring your "pump." Also where do the tubes stow on the waistpack??
There is room in the waistpack to stow any tubes. And yes if you wanted to pump up the same bladder on a long trip you would have to bring the pump. However the bladders with the quick disconnect will be sold separately, so you can pump up as many bladders as you want, and exchange them out for another when you run out.
1.75L seems a bit low for a "long" ride.
Again, you guys are getting good suggestions, and totally missing the mark because you're hell-bent on this idea that won't work.
Again, you guys are getting good suggestions, and totally missing the mark because you're hell-bent on this idea that won't work.
We are all open for suggestions you guys may have to make this product better and something that you would like to possibly purchase in the future.
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